"Every adversity, every failure, and every heartache carries with it the seed of equivalent or greater benefit." Napoleon Hill said that. Do you believe it? And if so, are you applying it? Those are the questions I've been asking myself this week, friends.
As a world, we are facing great adversity right now, both as a global community, and as individuals. And with all these changes, and interruptions, and frustrations, it can be easy to get bitter and angry, to shut down, lay down, or tune it out. I know that personally I've wrestled with a lot of those things in the last few months, and I'm willing to bet I'm not alone in this.
If you're a planner like me, it can be incredibly difficult to deal with your plans being interrupted. And while I've worked hard to get better at not getting upset with the little distractions and detours that happen on a daily basis, having my entire world, and plans, and goals upended was another thing entirely. I'd be lying if I said I haven't been angry most days and cried and just flat out given up some days. But, while I certainly have not reached a point of acceptance yet, Napoleon Hill's words did help me to start to change my perspective and with it, my attitude.
This season has been hard for me, and not for the reasons you might think. My husband and I have been incredibly blessed to still be working. But to be honest, working and trying to homeschool my son felt more like a curse. It is the last thing I wanted to be doing these past two months. My mind, my schedule, and my emotions have been on overload. But, this constant overload and stress forced me to find new and better ways to manage my time. It helped me to prioritize and realize what I care about, what actually has to be done, and what things I want to get rid of in my life asap. I know a lot of you have been facing your own unique set of struggles during this time as well.
The truth is, we are not out of the woods yet, friends, but this season and this journey can be a set up for greater opportunities. Or we can let it be a roadblock which derails our progress and keeps us from moving forward long after this is all over. I don't know about you, but I want to find those seeds of opportunity growing among the thorns of life. Hang in there! I care about you. We will get through this, and I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Monday, May 25, 2020
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
One of Those Days
Hi friends! Today, was one of those days... you know the kind I'm talking about, the my son forgot how to write the number 9, tracked dog poop into my car carpets, and cried every time I spoke to him kind of days. The kind of days where it seems like the whole world is mad at you, and you can't seem to accomplish the things that need done in the space of time you have. The kind of days where your technology doesn't work, and you dump a cup of water into your purse. (Not that any of these things happen to me... ahem... all of them happened to me... today.)
So many times, we picture our lives like a Hallmark movie, where everything winds up beautiful, we fall in love, win the lottery, and the whole family comes together at the end. But life, often times can be more like a thriller, where there's a surprise twist, nothing goes as planned, and everything bad happens to the main character. The good news is that no matter whether your life feels like a sitcom right now, or a tear jerker, or a just plain terrible film, you still get to choose how you as a character show up in your story. Do you scream and swear and cry and throw things? (Read...I did all of these today too.) Or do you show gratitude, take a walk, and respond with grace and humor? (I did manage to do some of these things some of the time today. )
Part of the beauty of life is in the imperfection, in the journey, the growth, and the struggle. The victory at the end wouldn't be half as sweet without the hurdles we had to overcome to achieve it. We don't go to see movies about sports teams who did nothing and didn't have to train and faced and easy team and won. No, we watch sports movies about teams who overcame adversity to create unity, who practiced harder than they thought they could, who faced their biggest rival and won. And our life is no different. The struggles may be hard, frustrating, and exhausting, but they are preparing us to win. We can choose to lay down, or we can step up.
Today, no matter how your day went, I hope that you find ways to push yourself to become better and to step up to the plate and take that swing, even if you missed the first two pitches. Don't grow weary of doing good. Your harvest is coming. (Galatians 6:9) Show up, and be the character your story needs. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
So many times, we picture our lives like a Hallmark movie, where everything winds up beautiful, we fall in love, win the lottery, and the whole family comes together at the end. But life, often times can be more like a thriller, where there's a surprise twist, nothing goes as planned, and everything bad happens to the main character. The good news is that no matter whether your life feels like a sitcom right now, or a tear jerker, or a just plain terrible film, you still get to choose how you as a character show up in your story. Do you scream and swear and cry and throw things? (Read...I did all of these today too.) Or do you show gratitude, take a walk, and respond with grace and humor? (I did manage to do some of these things some of the time today. )
Part of the beauty of life is in the imperfection, in the journey, the growth, and the struggle. The victory at the end wouldn't be half as sweet without the hurdles we had to overcome to achieve it. We don't go to see movies about sports teams who did nothing and didn't have to train and faced and easy team and won. No, we watch sports movies about teams who overcame adversity to create unity, who practiced harder than they thought they could, who faced their biggest rival and won. And our life is no different. The struggles may be hard, frustrating, and exhausting, but they are preparing us to win. We can choose to lay down, or we can step up.
Today, no matter how your day went, I hope that you find ways to push yourself to become better and to step up to the plate and take that swing, even if you missed the first two pitches. Don't grow weary of doing good. Your harvest is coming. (Galatians 6:9) Show up, and be the character your story needs. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Friday, May 1, 2020
A Cross Country Walk
Hello Friends!
Imagine that you have just signed up for a cross country march. You know that it is over 2,500 miles and that it will take you anywhere from four months to a year or more to complete. Now, let's also say that the reason you have signed up for this walk is to benefit a cause you really believe in, and by completing the cross-country walk you will be raising over $100,000 for this charity. Although many of us would not sign up for such a walk, at least we can see that it has a definite beginning, middle, and end, and as long as you keep moving forward each day, you will reach the desired end and earn the money for your charity.
Now, imagine that you have just signed up for a walk. You know the prize is something incredible, but you don't know how long the walk will be. You only know your starting point and the direction you should head. You've been told that this is a challenging walk and that it will take a long time, but you don't mind because you want the incredible prize at the end. What do you think would happen if, after a few days of walking, you sit down on the ground and begin to whine and cry that you haven't gotten the prize yet? What if you walk for a few months and then sit down and hope the prize will find its way to you? Do you think this behavior would get you to the prize? Remember, you don't know how long the race is. You only know that if you walk in the right direction long enough you will win the prize.
Most of us, if given the choice, would probably take the race with the known distance and timeframe. But life isn't like the first race. It is the second. We have dreams and goals, and accomplishing them is the magnificent prize at the end of the race, but we have no idea how long it will take to get there. We only know where we are now, and which direction we have to walk in. In the example of the physical race, we know that to sit on the ground and cry about not reaching the destination would be extremely silly and unproductive. But have we done that in our own lives? So many times we get tired of moving in the direction of our goals and not achieving them yet, but rather than pushing forward, knowing that if we keep moving in the right direction we will reach the prize, we sit down and give up. We quit walking and hope the destination will come to us.
If you are struggling or frustrated right now that your dreams and goals haven't happened yet or that you haven't made it to that next level, don't sit down and quit. Don't hope the destination will come to you. Instead, set your sights on the horizon, get a good pair of hiking boots, and find some traveling buddies who know the way, and whatever you do, keep moving. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. You may not know how far the journey is, but you know where you are and which direction to walk, and that is all the knowledge you need to move toward your goals. Keep walking friends. Your prize is ahead.
~K. W.
Imagine that you have just signed up for a cross country march. You know that it is over 2,500 miles and that it will take you anywhere from four months to a year or more to complete. Now, let's also say that the reason you have signed up for this walk is to benefit a cause you really believe in, and by completing the cross-country walk you will be raising over $100,000 for this charity. Although many of us would not sign up for such a walk, at least we can see that it has a definite beginning, middle, and end, and as long as you keep moving forward each day, you will reach the desired end and earn the money for your charity.
Now, imagine that you have just signed up for a walk. You know the prize is something incredible, but you don't know how long the walk will be. You only know your starting point and the direction you should head. You've been told that this is a challenging walk and that it will take a long time, but you don't mind because you want the incredible prize at the end. What do you think would happen if, after a few days of walking, you sit down on the ground and begin to whine and cry that you haven't gotten the prize yet? What if you walk for a few months and then sit down and hope the prize will find its way to you? Do you think this behavior would get you to the prize? Remember, you don't know how long the race is. You only know that if you walk in the right direction long enough you will win the prize.
Most of us, if given the choice, would probably take the race with the known distance and timeframe. But life isn't like the first race. It is the second. We have dreams and goals, and accomplishing them is the magnificent prize at the end of the race, but we have no idea how long it will take to get there. We only know where we are now, and which direction we have to walk in. In the example of the physical race, we know that to sit on the ground and cry about not reaching the destination would be extremely silly and unproductive. But have we done that in our own lives? So many times we get tired of moving in the direction of our goals and not achieving them yet, but rather than pushing forward, knowing that if we keep moving in the right direction we will reach the prize, we sit down and give up. We quit walking and hope the destination will come to us.
If you are struggling or frustrated right now that your dreams and goals haven't happened yet or that you haven't made it to that next level, don't sit down and quit. Don't hope the destination will come to you. Instead, set your sights on the horizon, get a good pair of hiking boots, and find some traveling buddies who know the way, and whatever you do, keep moving. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. You may not know how far the journey is, but you know where you are and which direction to walk, and that is all the knowledge you need to move toward your goals. Keep walking friends. Your prize is ahead.
~K. W.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Health from the Beginning
Hi Friends! I hope you all are doing well and staying healthy. I know there has been a focus in our world lately concerning health and illness, and a lot of people are reevaluating how they are doing life. I was doing some reading yesterday, and I started looking at the first chapter of the Bible. If you are familiar with the book of Genesis, you know the first chapter is the one that talks about God's creation of the world. As I was reading this, some words began to stick out to me, and I realized there was a prescription for health written right into the world from the very beginning. Given that we are all looking for ways to be healthier these days, I thought I would share this list with you. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor do I have a medical degree, so please consult your physician if you have questions/concerns. These are just my personal thoughts on general healthful practices.)
Now that I've got the legal jargon out of the way, here are the healthy things I've been contemplating. In the beginning, God created light. And this was one of the first things I noticed when rereading the creation account. Now, I don't know about you, but a good dose of sunlight and vitamin D does me a world of good, and I think there's a reason it was one of the first things God made. Sunlight can lift our spirits and our moods and help us to create vital nutrients by absorbing it through our skin.
The second crucial element that stuck out to me in creation was water. Not only are our bodies made up of a lot of water, but water is good for everything from cleaning ourselves to restoring our body's natural state internally, to the therapeutic sound of ocean waves or bubbling rivers which can set our minds at ease. It's no surprise then, that this was one of the first things mentioned in the creation of the world.
Next on the list of healthful creations were plants. Plants were created for nutrition, and I believe most of us know that eating your fruits and vegetables is crucial to your overall health. Popeye wasn't kidding; spinach really will make you strong.
The next slightly unorthodox thing I noticed in creation was signs and seasons. Now, at first this may seem like a strange thing to include in a list of healthful items, but order is so important to us functioning at optimal health. Have you ever heard that your inner state reflects your outer state? Most likely, if the world around you is in chaos, your internal state may be chaos as well. God created order right from the beginning, and I think this points to its importance to our health. God also created seasons right along side signs, and when I think of seasons, I am drawn to the idea of holidays, special occasions, and yearly traditions. Celebration is a great way to keep our spirits high. After all, "a cheerful heart is good medicine." (Psalm 17:22)
One of the final items was not something God created, but something He did. He rested. Now, if you are a busy individual out there, I don't have to explain to you the value of rest, but usually, just knowing its value doesn't mean we are getting enough of it. Taking time to deliberately rest can be restorative to our health and well-being.
If you are feeling under the weather or a bit discouraged right now, or maybe you just want to take some positive steps to get healthier, I encourage you to give some or all of these a try. Get some sunlight on a daily basis, drink water and enjoy water, create some order in your life, get your surroundings straightened up, celebrate something today, make a plan to enjoy a new season of life, eat your veggies and fruits, and lastly, get some rest. I'm thinking of all of you, and I can't wait to see your succeed! Stay healthy!
~K. W.
Now that I've got the legal jargon out of the way, here are the healthy things I've been contemplating. In the beginning, God created light. And this was one of the first things I noticed when rereading the creation account. Now, I don't know about you, but a good dose of sunlight and vitamin D does me a world of good, and I think there's a reason it was one of the first things God made. Sunlight can lift our spirits and our moods and help us to create vital nutrients by absorbing it through our skin.
The second crucial element that stuck out to me in creation was water. Not only are our bodies made up of a lot of water, but water is good for everything from cleaning ourselves to restoring our body's natural state internally, to the therapeutic sound of ocean waves or bubbling rivers which can set our minds at ease. It's no surprise then, that this was one of the first things mentioned in the creation of the world.
Next on the list of healthful creations were plants. Plants were created for nutrition, and I believe most of us know that eating your fruits and vegetables is crucial to your overall health. Popeye wasn't kidding; spinach really will make you strong.
The next slightly unorthodox thing I noticed in creation was signs and seasons. Now, at first this may seem like a strange thing to include in a list of healthful items, but order is so important to us functioning at optimal health. Have you ever heard that your inner state reflects your outer state? Most likely, if the world around you is in chaos, your internal state may be chaos as well. God created order right from the beginning, and I think this points to its importance to our health. God also created seasons right along side signs, and when I think of seasons, I am drawn to the idea of holidays, special occasions, and yearly traditions. Celebration is a great way to keep our spirits high. After all, "a cheerful heart is good medicine." (Psalm 17:22)
One of the final items was not something God created, but something He did. He rested. Now, if you are a busy individual out there, I don't have to explain to you the value of rest, but usually, just knowing its value doesn't mean we are getting enough of it. Taking time to deliberately rest can be restorative to our health and well-being.
If you are feeling under the weather or a bit discouraged right now, or maybe you just want to take some positive steps to get healthier, I encourage you to give some or all of these a try. Get some sunlight on a daily basis, drink water and enjoy water, create some order in your life, get your surroundings straightened up, celebrate something today, make a plan to enjoy a new season of life, eat your veggies and fruits, and lastly, get some rest. I'm thinking of all of you, and I can't wait to see your succeed! Stay healthy!
~K. W.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Making Ourselves Busy
Hello friends! It has been a really long time... like, five months to be exact. And believe me, it's not that I haven't been thinking about anything for the last five months or that I haven't had anything to say, but you know... life has a way of pulling you, this way and that, and sometimes the things we want to do get flung by the wayside. If you're anything like me, you may have a tendency to put your creative pursuits on the back burner sometimes in the name of all the other "important" things that need done.
And while I am the queen of preaching that we all need to put our dreams and goals first, even I get tripped up by the rat race sometimes and lose sight of what is really important. Sometimes though, it's not even so much that we're actually busy. It's that we make ourselves busy to avoid what we know we should be doing. Maybe we're afraid or discouraged; maybe we think no one cares to read or hear or see what we make or write or do. Sometimes being busy or tired is just a coverup to get us out of doing the really hard stuff.
The problem is, once we start to think this way, we get stuck. We stall out on the hill, and anyone who's ever driven a standard knows, when you stall out on a hill, you don't just sit there. You start to roll backward. And to make matters worse, in order to get started again, you are probably going to lose a little more ground before you gain traction.
We're living in very unique circumstances right now, and maybe you have had to put some things on hold; vacations, financial moves, events, etc. But maybe, just maybe, this can be a time when you look around and realize you've been making yourself really busy, and you don't have an excuse anymore. Maybe it's time to his the gas and start moving on your projects, your dreams, and your goals. Maybe, at a time when the rest of the world has come to a screeching halt, you can find your vision and head out onto the open road. I'm not saying it will be easy, (getting started on a hill is challenging), but I do think it's time for us to drop the act and stop pretending that anything except ourselves is holding us back from accomplishing and doing what we care about.
Put a stop to the busy today. Real or imagined, the constant pursuit of doing everything except what really matters has no place in our lives. Get out there and get after your goals today. No more excuses. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K. L. White-Hartman
And while I am the queen of preaching that we all need to put our dreams and goals first, even I get tripped up by the rat race sometimes and lose sight of what is really important. Sometimes though, it's not even so much that we're actually busy. It's that we make ourselves busy to avoid what we know we should be doing. Maybe we're afraid or discouraged; maybe we think no one cares to read or hear or see what we make or write or do. Sometimes being busy or tired is just a coverup to get us out of doing the really hard stuff.
The problem is, once we start to think this way, we get stuck. We stall out on the hill, and anyone who's ever driven a standard knows, when you stall out on a hill, you don't just sit there. You start to roll backward. And to make matters worse, in order to get started again, you are probably going to lose a little more ground before you gain traction.
We're living in very unique circumstances right now, and maybe you have had to put some things on hold; vacations, financial moves, events, etc. But maybe, just maybe, this can be a time when you look around and realize you've been making yourself really busy, and you don't have an excuse anymore. Maybe it's time to his the gas and start moving on your projects, your dreams, and your goals. Maybe, at a time when the rest of the world has come to a screeching halt, you can find your vision and head out onto the open road. I'm not saying it will be easy, (getting started on a hill is challenging), but I do think it's time for us to drop the act and stop pretending that anything except ourselves is holding us back from accomplishing and doing what we care about.
Put a stop to the busy today. Real or imagined, the constant pursuit of doing everything except what really matters has no place in our lives. Get out there and get after your goals today. No more excuses. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K. L. White-Hartman
Friday, November 22, 2019
The Problem with Jobs
I want to share something with you today friends. You were not meant to just work a job and die. Your life should not controlled by or revolve around your J.O.B.. And here's what I mean...
When God created Adam and Eve, they only had two tasks: 1. Be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) 2. Tend the garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:15) Now, I don't know about you, but I would imagine it doesn't take much effort to care for a garden that exists in a perfect world. There's no weeding to be done, the dew waters the plants for you, so there's not a lot of tending required. So what were Adam and Eve supposed to be doing with all their free time? I'll give you a hint.. it wasn't going out and getting a 9-5. No! God called them to be fruitful and multiply. They were meant to grow and increase in every area of their lives, spiritually, mentally, physically, intellectually, and to pursue the unique God given talents and abilities they had. Just imagine what they could have become and all they could have accomplished with unlimited time in a completely perfect environment. But here's the problem. While they didn't see their potential, someone else did. There was a snake in the garden who recognized how much his kingdom of darkness stood to lose if mankind were allowed to exist as God had truly intended them to be.
So the snake contrived a plan, to trick Adam and Eve into giving up their perfect existence and thereby forcing them to toil in pain and suffering for the rest of their existence. (Genesis 3:1-7) And once life became difficult and filled with work, they lost their passion and their energy, and their focus was taken away from thriving and put onto merely surviving.(Genesis 3:17) Sound like anyone you know?
I don't know about you, but when I spend all day at work, I come home tired and depleted, and I don't have the time or energy I need or want to do the things I want to do and feel called to do. Our jobs are robbing us of our true purpose friends! We were never meant to live this way. So, you ask, how can we change it? After all, we depend on our jobs to provide our income and fund our lives.
First, find out what you are called to do. What are you good at? What makes your heart and spirit soar? What causes you to get out of bed excited in the morning? Once you know this, find ways to do it, and if you can make a living at it, you are doing better than most.
Secondly, learn to get your money in order. Learn to save and invest, so that you are no longer dependent on and chained to your weekly job income. Once you can live free of the need for income from a regular 40+ hour a week job, you can start to focus your time and energy on what really matters to you.
Lastly, I am not saying jobs are bad entirely. There is a lot to be learned from having a job, and if you have a job, you should strive to be excellent at it and do your best to be reliable and earn your paycheck and more. However, I believe that most of us have a higher calling than what we do on a weekly basis, and if we can start to live out that calling, we will see lives changed in a whole new way (our own lives included.)
Get out there and pursue your purpose. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
When God created Adam and Eve, they only had two tasks: 1. Be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) 2. Tend the garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:15) Now, I don't know about you, but I would imagine it doesn't take much effort to care for a garden that exists in a perfect world. There's no weeding to be done, the dew waters the plants for you, so there's not a lot of tending required. So what were Adam and Eve supposed to be doing with all their free time? I'll give you a hint.. it wasn't going out and getting a 9-5. No! God called them to be fruitful and multiply. They were meant to grow and increase in every area of their lives, spiritually, mentally, physically, intellectually, and to pursue the unique God given talents and abilities they had. Just imagine what they could have become and all they could have accomplished with unlimited time in a completely perfect environment. But here's the problem. While they didn't see their potential, someone else did. There was a snake in the garden who recognized how much his kingdom of darkness stood to lose if mankind were allowed to exist as God had truly intended them to be.
So the snake contrived a plan, to trick Adam and Eve into giving up their perfect existence and thereby forcing them to toil in pain and suffering for the rest of their existence. (Genesis 3:1-7) And once life became difficult and filled with work, they lost their passion and their energy, and their focus was taken away from thriving and put onto merely surviving.(Genesis 3:17) Sound like anyone you know?
I don't know about you, but when I spend all day at work, I come home tired and depleted, and I don't have the time or energy I need or want to do the things I want to do and feel called to do. Our jobs are robbing us of our true purpose friends! We were never meant to live this way. So, you ask, how can we change it? After all, we depend on our jobs to provide our income and fund our lives.
First, find out what you are called to do. What are you good at? What makes your heart and spirit soar? What causes you to get out of bed excited in the morning? Once you know this, find ways to do it, and if you can make a living at it, you are doing better than most.
Secondly, learn to get your money in order. Learn to save and invest, so that you are no longer dependent on and chained to your weekly job income. Once you can live free of the need for income from a regular 40+ hour a week job, you can start to focus your time and energy on what really matters to you.
Lastly, I am not saying jobs are bad entirely. There is a lot to be learned from having a job, and if you have a job, you should strive to be excellent at it and do your best to be reliable and earn your paycheck and more. However, I believe that most of us have a higher calling than what we do on a weekly basis, and if we can start to live out that calling, we will see lives changed in a whole new way (our own lives included.)
Get out there and pursue your purpose. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Peace in Chaos
I have a compilation of thoughts for you tonight friends. Albert Einstein said, "Out of clutter find simplicity; from discord find harmony; in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Profound statements if you consider them. After all, it's easy to be at harmony when there is no discord, and it's easy to see opportunities when there is no difficulty. But that is seldom the case in our lives. Often our lives are a swirling ball of busyness and chaos which can send us spiraling down a path of confusion, anxiety, and frustration.
I was struck with a thought on this the other day. My son has oppositional defiant disorder as well as attention deficit disorder, and as a result, my house is never still. There is noise and yelling and things flying all the time. Finding a single sane, quiet moment is nearly impossible. Mornings in particular are especially trying. One morning last week, I had grown tired of the screaming and arguing, and I had gone in my room and shut the door to try to recollect myself. I sat there listening to the three dogs squabbling, my son running around the house slamming toys off the floor and yelling at the top of his lungs, and I thought, "How can I find peace in the midst of this?"
And then a still small voice came through to me. True peace is only found in the storm. I thought of the famous painting of a mother bird, sheltering her babies under her wings in the cleft of a rock while the storm rages all around them. You see, Christ said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27) The world wants to show us pictures of serene scenarios as our only examples of how to live in peace. And while a quiet get away can have wonderful rejuvenating effects, we have to realize that true peace can be found in the midst of our mess if we look to the One who gives it. Like the small birds in the storm, our circumstances do not determine our peace, rather, knowing who's wings we rest under does. "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4a)
Today, as you face the storms of life, do not let the outer chaos determine your inner peace. Focus yourself on the One who is constant, and who holds the power to still the wind and waves.
I can't wait to see you succeed.
~K.W.
I was struck with a thought on this the other day. My son has oppositional defiant disorder as well as attention deficit disorder, and as a result, my house is never still. There is noise and yelling and things flying all the time. Finding a single sane, quiet moment is nearly impossible. Mornings in particular are especially trying. One morning last week, I had grown tired of the screaming and arguing, and I had gone in my room and shut the door to try to recollect myself. I sat there listening to the three dogs squabbling, my son running around the house slamming toys off the floor and yelling at the top of his lungs, and I thought, "How can I find peace in the midst of this?"
And then a still small voice came through to me. True peace is only found in the storm. I thought of the famous painting of a mother bird, sheltering her babies under her wings in the cleft of a rock while the storm rages all around them. You see, Christ said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27) The world wants to show us pictures of serene scenarios as our only examples of how to live in peace. And while a quiet get away can have wonderful rejuvenating effects, we have to realize that true peace can be found in the midst of our mess if we look to the One who gives it. Like the small birds in the storm, our circumstances do not determine our peace, rather, knowing who's wings we rest under does. "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4a)
Today, as you face the storms of life, do not let the outer chaos determine your inner peace. Focus yourself on the One who is constant, and who holds the power to still the wind and waves.
I can't wait to see you succeed.
~K.W.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Distractions
Recently it was recommended to me that I should try some deep breathing exercises. Being that my life is very busy (hence the reason for needing the deep breathing), I decided to try it for one minute a day and to work my way up from there. I am now up to two minutes a day... sometimes... when I remember. But today, when I sat down to do my very Zen two minutes, something hit me, quite literally actually; it was the dog's tail, whapping me in the face. My phone then started buzzing; I thought about five things I wanted to do before I headed out the door, and I immediately moved on to something else. Life 500, Deep Breathing 0.
The truth of the matter is, there are so many distractions in this life, things that pull us off course, and cause us to loose sight of where we should really be heading. And mind you, they are usually very good distractions: housework, charities, helping out a friend or neighbor, or any number of things, and none of these in and of themselves are inherently bad, in fact, that's why we are usually thrown off course. After all, we shouldn't say "no" to doing something good, right?
Here's the thing, though. When Jesus was on earth, He knew his purpose was to live a sinless life and go to the cross for our sins. He also knew that in order to do this, He needed to step away and spend focused time with God each day. That's why, in the scripture, we see examples of Him slipping away through the crowd to go to the mountain or the garden to pray. (Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12) There were plenty of people still needing healing, plenty of distractions and "good" things He could have done. But He knew what was most important, and He took time to refocus Himself often.
If you have been feeling a bit crazy lately, maybe overworked, overstressed, and overbooked, it's probably a good sign that you've gotten distracted. It may be time to get alone, get quiet, and refocus on what you should be doing. You can skip the deep breathing part... or maybe give it a shot, who knows, it just might help you. Just don't get caught up trying to do all the good things. There is always one more "good" thing which needs done. But we need to choose what is most important.(Luke 10:41-42) Take some time to reprioritize today. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
The truth of the matter is, there are so many distractions in this life, things that pull us off course, and cause us to loose sight of where we should really be heading. And mind you, they are usually very good distractions: housework, charities, helping out a friend or neighbor, or any number of things, and none of these in and of themselves are inherently bad, in fact, that's why we are usually thrown off course. After all, we shouldn't say "no" to doing something good, right?
Here's the thing, though. When Jesus was on earth, He knew his purpose was to live a sinless life and go to the cross for our sins. He also knew that in order to do this, He needed to step away and spend focused time with God each day. That's why, in the scripture, we see examples of Him slipping away through the crowd to go to the mountain or the garden to pray. (Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12) There were plenty of people still needing healing, plenty of distractions and "good" things He could have done. But He knew what was most important, and He took time to refocus Himself often.
If you have been feeling a bit crazy lately, maybe overworked, overstressed, and overbooked, it's probably a good sign that you've gotten distracted. It may be time to get alone, get quiet, and refocus on what you should be doing. You can skip the deep breathing part... or maybe give it a shot, who knows, it just might help you. Just don't get caught up trying to do all the good things. There is always one more "good" thing which needs done. But we need to choose what is most important.(Luke 10:41-42) Take some time to reprioritize today. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
You're in Charge
I read something cool this morning, and it got me thinking. I was reading Psalm 8 and I came across this verse. "You made him [man] ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet" (Psalm 8:6) Another place in the Bible says it this way, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3a). The thing that I find exciting here is that we have the power. We have the opportunity to control our own lives and to steer ourselves in any direction we choose (paraphrased loosely from Dr. Suess, Oh The Places You'll Go).
I once heard Joyce Meyer say, "Stop asking God to do things for you that He's already given you the power to do for yourself." (That may not be 100% quoted because I can't remember which audio I heard it on.) But the point is, that phrase has stuck with me for a long time, because really, that's just it. We want to blame someone else, take the responsibility away from ourselves. After all, if it's not our fault, then we don't feel bad about failing. We keep asking God, our bosses, our spouses, whoever to make us healthier, wiser, wealthier, and more popular. The truth is though, it is entirely in our control. We have the choice every day, the choice to eat healthfully, or not, to exercise, or not, to make that phone call, mend that relationship, etc, etc... The question is though, are you taking advantage of that opportunity, or are you giving up your power?
Every result we get in our lives is a consequence of something we did, or failed to do. (For more on this, check out The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.) Are you utilizing your power today? Or are you throwing it away, wishing for a change instead. You already have what you need. You simply have to decide to use it. Take that step; eat that vegetable; save that $5. I can’t wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
I once heard Joyce Meyer say, "Stop asking God to do things for you that He's already given you the power to do for yourself." (That may not be 100% quoted because I can't remember which audio I heard it on.) But the point is, that phrase has stuck with me for a long time, because really, that's just it. We want to blame someone else, take the responsibility away from ourselves. After all, if it's not our fault, then we don't feel bad about failing. We keep asking God, our bosses, our spouses, whoever to make us healthier, wiser, wealthier, and more popular. The truth is though, it is entirely in our control. We have the choice every day, the choice to eat healthfully, or not, to exercise, or not, to make that phone call, mend that relationship, etc, etc... The question is though, are you taking advantage of that opportunity, or are you giving up your power?
Every result we get in our lives is a consequence of something we did, or failed to do. (For more on this, check out The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.) Are you utilizing your power today? Or are you throwing it away, wishing for a change instead. You already have what you need. You simply have to decide to use it. Take that step; eat that vegetable; save that $5. I can’t wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Mindset
Good Morning Friends!
Someone told me yesterday that I need to start thinking about my day and my calendar and deciding what is most important with my time. I need to take control of my own destiny a little bit, she advised me. And I’ve been mulling that thought over for the last 24 hours. But while I 100% agree with her, her idea of prioritizing and mine couldn't be more opposite. You see, she was talking about my job and putting more time into work. But what she doesn't understand about me is that my life purpose is not my job. So when I think about prioritizing my time, my job does not fall high on my list. Is it important for me to make money to pay my bills? Absolutely. And is it important for me to do my absolute best while I'm at my job? Extremely. But, when given the opportunity to go to work or to chase my God given purpose, I will chase my purpose every time.
I want to remind you this morning, friends, that God did not put you on this earth just to work a job. I believe that every person has a higher calling. And if you are fulfilling your calling at your job, that is amazing. I’m so happy for you; but if you aren’t, I want to encourage you to not get side tracked. It’s so easy to get sucked into the rat race of work, and housework, and life in general and forget that we are losing valuable time to accomplish what we were put here for.
Life without purpose and direction is exhausting and discouraging. Have you been feeling that way? If so, maybe it’s time to look at your priorities. What are you doing this week to chase your dreams, goals, and purpose? Take some time today to realign your schedule to what matters most. I think you’ll find you are much happier and more fulfilled when you’re doing what you’re called to do.
And one more thing, if your priorities don’t line up with what someone else thinks they should be, just remember that they aren’t living your life, and no one else has your exact same calling. Your picture doesn’t have to fit the mold. So get out there and do what matters today. I can’t wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Someone told me yesterday that I need to start thinking about my day and my calendar and deciding what is most important with my time. I need to take control of my own destiny a little bit, she advised me. And I’ve been mulling that thought over for the last 24 hours. But while I 100% agree with her, her idea of prioritizing and mine couldn't be more opposite. You see, she was talking about my job and putting more time into work. But what she doesn't understand about me is that my life purpose is not my job. So when I think about prioritizing my time, my job does not fall high on my list. Is it important for me to make money to pay my bills? Absolutely. And is it important for me to do my absolute best while I'm at my job? Extremely. But, when given the opportunity to go to work or to chase my God given purpose, I will chase my purpose every time.
I want to remind you this morning, friends, that God did not put you on this earth just to work a job. I believe that every person has a higher calling. And if you are fulfilling your calling at your job, that is amazing. I’m so happy for you; but if you aren’t, I want to encourage you to not get side tracked. It’s so easy to get sucked into the rat race of work, and housework, and life in general and forget that we are losing valuable time to accomplish what we were put here for.
Life without purpose and direction is exhausting and discouraging. Have you been feeling that way? If so, maybe it’s time to look at your priorities. What are you doing this week to chase your dreams, goals, and purpose? Take some time today to realign your schedule to what matters most. I think you’ll find you are much happier and more fulfilled when you’re doing what you’re called to do.
And one more thing, if your priorities don’t line up with what someone else thinks they should be, just remember that they aren’t living your life, and no one else has your exact same calling. Your picture doesn’t have to fit the mold. So get out there and do what matters today. I can’t wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Monday, September 2, 2019
Sheep
Good morning, Friends! Today, I’m thinking about something that probably doesn’t cross your mind often: sheep. 
This morning I was reading Psalm 23, and I was struck by the first verse. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." I was amazed by the thought of the special relationship the shepherd has with his sheep, and what that means for us. I started thinking about the way my dog treats me when I come home each day. She is so excited to see me, she runs to me and shows me all the toys she has been playing with, and wherever I am in the house she is continually by me or on my lap. She never leaves my side when I am home. She is always watching from the window when I’m gone, and when I return she runs to the door. There is a very special bond there, and I imagine this is something like what David had in mind when he talked about the Lord being our shepherd. We should be so excited to be in the presence of our God, and we should do all we can to spend time with Him.
Additionally, my dog has this habit of bringing me everything. Even things she is not allowed to have. Each new toy or item she finds has to be brought to me to be inspected. And although she does not like when I take things from her, she continues to bring me items anyway. She has no fear of showing me what she's up to. And I think this is something we miss with God. We don't necessarily think to bring before God each new situation in our lives. Sometimes we even avoid bringing God our "things" because we know He might ask us to put them down because they aren't good for us. But, the Lord is our shepherd, our guardian, and He always has our best interest in mind. We should be excited to go to Him knowing that He will only do that which will benefit us.
I think if we get back to being a little bit more "doglike" or "sheeplike" in our relationship with God, we will be much better off for it. We need to love Him, follow Him, and trust Him as our shepherd. This week, take a close look at your attitude toward your relationship with God. Are you excited to be with Him? Start directing your time and intentionally bringing Him your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and each aspect of your life so He can direct you in what is good for you. Make it a great week friends. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.L.W.
I don't know a lot about sheep, but I think they are something like dogs in that, they know, love, and follow their shepherd. They enjoy being around the person who cares for them, and they feel safe and loved being with the shepherd. In present day America, we may not see a whole lot of shepherds traveling around with their sheep. We have fences and barns, and there is not as much need for a person to stand watch over the flock constantly. But several thousand years ago, the people of Israel certainly would have understood the need for shepherds, and they would have grasped the special relationship between the shepherd and his flock, because this was a way of life for many of them.
This morning I was reading Psalm 23, and I was struck by the first verse. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." I was amazed by the thought of the special relationship the shepherd has with his sheep, and what that means for us. I started thinking about the way my dog treats me when I come home each day. She is so excited to see me, she runs to me and shows me all the toys she has been playing with, and wherever I am in the house she is continually by me or on my lap. She never leaves my side when I am home. She is always watching from the window when I’m gone, and when I return she runs to the door. There is a very special bond there, and I imagine this is something like what David had in mind when he talked about the Lord being our shepherd. We should be so excited to be in the presence of our God, and we should do all we can to spend time with Him.
Additionally, my dog has this habit of bringing me everything. Even things she is not allowed to have. Each new toy or item she finds has to be brought to me to be inspected. And although she does not like when I take things from her, she continues to bring me items anyway. She has no fear of showing me what she's up to. And I think this is something we miss with God. We don't necessarily think to bring before God each new situation in our lives. Sometimes we even avoid bringing God our "things" because we know He might ask us to put them down because they aren't good for us. But, the Lord is our shepherd, our guardian, and He always has our best interest in mind. We should be excited to go to Him knowing that He will only do that which will benefit us.
I think if we get back to being a little bit more "doglike" or "sheeplike" in our relationship with God, we will be much better off for it. We need to love Him, follow Him, and trust Him as our shepherd. This week, take a close look at your attitude toward your relationship with God. Are you excited to be with Him? Start directing your time and intentionally bringing Him your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and each aspect of your life so He can direct you in what is good for you. Make it a great week friends. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.L.W.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Thoughts for Today
Perfection
It's Sunday night. You've finally done it. You've created the perfect plan. You've meal prepped and time blocked; you'...
-
Ok all my free-spirited friends out there. Say this with me... "Routines are my friend." Yes, I know, just the thought of a ro...
-
Good Morning, Friends! Last week I was preparing for take off from Orlando to Charlotte. The flight attendants were going through the no...